BMW's have always been relatively expensive, but that perception diminishes in magnitude once you become an owner. No longer rare, the brand still exudes a certain specialness - especially in the car formerly known as The 1 Series. Claimed to have been "inspired" by the great 2002/2002tii's of the early to mid 1970's, the 1 series was a back to basics BMW with quirky headlights that look VERY different from the rest of the range.

That unfortunately changed once 1 became 2. The front and rear fascia were brought into line and the visual magic disappeared. It's nice to read that what made this car so much fun to drive remains.

Others have said it is not good value, perhaps true. For me in the sub-compact range I could get this, the Audi A3, or a V8 Camaro for all nearly the same price. In fact, the 2SS Camaro I built would be far less than $50K. Guess it all depends what you really want. Brand names mean something to some people. I think my wife would only have Mercedes for herself.

It's only 1" shorter, the same height, and 1" wider than the E46 3-series. However, the 2-series dash is deeper, the center console is much bigger, and the front seatbacks are much thicker than the E46. Also, the doors appear to be thicker and more sculpted inside.

It's only 1" shorter, the same height, and 1" wider than the E46 3-series. However, the 2-series dash is deeper, the center console is much bigger, and the front seatbacks are much thicker than the E46. Also, the doors appear to be thicker and more sculpted inside.

Probably some of that is for safety reasons. I wonder though if a little injection of creativity could come up with a BMW respectful design in this size but with a bit more interior space.

If one needs a backup camera, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist in order to drive a small sports car, and worried about how well it will baby, then perhaps one should be looking for something other than a small sports car.

Why was the 2-Series compared to Audi A3 and S3 sedans, and even the Golf? The more natural comparo would be with the TT and the TTS.

Probably because the 2 Series is the only BMW car entry in this size class right now in the US. They do make an equivalent to the A3 and CLA, but sell it in China rather than here. That will change. Meanwhile, the TT strikes me as even less comparable, given its quasi-sports car vibe, v. the 2 door coupe that the 2 Series is.

In the subtitle, C/D describe the 2-series as "A sports coupe that delivers both goodness and greatness" (emphasis added).

Yet, they compared the 2- to the likes of Audi A3, a four door sedan (bigger, heavier, obviously more practical, and so on) and the Golf a four door hatchback (also obviously more practical, and so on).

I still fail to see how the A3 and the Golf are the right comparo points, while the TT (a two door sports coupe like the 2-, on the same platform as the other VAG cars) is not.

In the subtitle, C/D describe the 2-series as "A sports coupe that delivers both goodness and greatness" (emphasis added).

Yet, they compared the 2- to the likes of Audi A3, a four door sedan (bigger, heavier, obviously more practical, and so on) and the Golf a four door hatchback (also obviously more practical, and so on).

I still fail to see how the A3 and the Golf are the right comparo points, while the TT (a two door sports coupe like the 2-, on the same platform as the other VAG cars) is not.

The A3 is not bigger than the 2-series. But it happens to have 4 doors. The 2-series could have been delivered in a 4 door version. Doing that to the TT would be impossible without lengthening it. BMW does make a 4 door 2.series. They just don't sell it in the US. To give you another comparison, the A5 is a 2 door coupe version of the A4. But it certainly is a different sort of car than the 2 door Porsches. Or consider the 2 door Golf or GTI (no longer sold here but still on the market). It is not equivalent to a TT even if they share a platform. Anyway, you have an argument for your position, but in the end I agree more with C/D's comparables.

The A3 is not bigger than the 2-series. But it happens to have 4 doors. The 2-series could have been delivered in a 4 door version. Doing that to the TT would be impossible without lengthening it. BMW does make a 4 door 2.series. They just don't sell it in the US. To give you another comparison, the A5 is a 2 door coupe version of the A4. But it certainly is a different sort of car than the 2 door Porsches. Or consider the 2 door Golf or GTI (no longer sold here but still on the market). It is not equivalent to a TT even if they share a platform. Anyway, you have an argument for your position, but in the end I agree more with C/D's comparables.

You are obviously better informed than I. I did not know that BMW is actually selling 4 door 2-series cars yet, anywhere in the world.

The A3 is not bigger than the 2-series. But it happens to have 4 doors. The 2-series could have been delivered in a 4 door version. Doing that to the TT would be impossible without lengthening it. BMW does make a 4 door 2.series. They just don't sell it in the US. To give you another comparison, the A5 is a 2 door coupe version of the A4. But it certainly is a different sort of car than the 2 door Porsches. Or consider the 2 door Golf or GTI (no longer sold here but still on the market). It is not equivalent to a TT even if they share a platform. Anyway, you have an argument for your position, but in the end I agree more with C/D's comparables.

You are obviously better informed than I. I did not know that BMW is actually selling 4 door 2-series cars yet, anywhere in the world.

I don't know all that much. In many instances, I am sure you know more than me. And this is just opinions about what we see as comparables. Hardly worth a cup of warm spit, but it passes the time better than screaming or shoving needles under our eyelids.

I don't know all that much. In many instances, I am sure you know more than me. And this is just opinions about what we see as comparables. Hardly worth a cup of warm spit, but it passes the time better than screaming or shoving needles under our eyelids.

You are also obviously a more interesting person than I: I'd never have thought of shoving needles under my eyelids to pass the time. But now that you mention it...